Surfing America Prime scores at New Smyrna Beach

Surfing America took the East Coast Surfing America Prime series to New Smyrna Beach Inlet last weekend. Last year we were treated to 32-degree temperatures and were hoping for some warm Florida sunshine this year. We were stoked to have great 4 – 6 foot surf that announcer Travis Ajay called an “8 out of 10” for the Inlet. It was bit blustery on Saturday, but Sunday was beautiful – 75° and calm winds. The surf was cranking all weekend and the kids made the most of it.

Some of the highlights were watching Stevie Pittman surf 3 divisions and making the finals in U14 and U16, winning both. This was a repeat of his performance at the Atlantic City stop in October and this result clinched the season champion title in both divisions. In Boys U18, local boy Daniel Glenn, was on fire all weekend. In his semifinal on Sunday he annihilated a throaty right for a perfect 10, the only one of the event. He was unable to find the same quality waves in the final and settled for 4th place. Luke Gordon and Luke Marks had a seesaw battle in the U18 final. Luke Marks was leading until the end, but Luke Gordon caught a buzzer beater that gave him a 7.33 which was enough for the win.

Luke Marks sister, 12-year-old Caroline, also took a 2nd in the Girls U16 division. She too was beat out at the buzzer, by Maddie Peterson who took the win. Caroline went on to win the Girls U18 division with a combined wave score of 13.34, double the score of her nearest competitor.

“The East Coast talent is really lighting up. There has always been top talent from the east, but now we are seeing the depth of the talent increase tremendously and the level of everyone rising. Great weekend watching top notch surfing in good surf!” – Greg Cruse, executive director of Surfing America.

Next up is the final event of the season, May 3 & 4 at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head NC. Competition is heating up for the coveted slots in the Surfing America USA Championships at Lower Trestles, June 17 – 21, 2014.